Fascist followers’ masochism is fused with sadistic impulses

Evidence

The fact that the fascist follower’s masochism is inevitably accompanied by sadistic impulses is in harmony with Freud’s general theory of ambivalence, originally developed in connection with the Oedipus complex. Since the fascist integration of individuals into masses satisfied them only vicariously, their resentment against the frustrations of civilization survives but is canalized to become compatible with the leader’s aims; it is psychologically fused with authoritarian submissiveness. — Theodor W. Adorno, The Culture Industry, 328

Categorization

• QUESTION: Worth chasing: how precisely does vicarious satisfaction canalize rather than dissolve resentment — and does this mechanism generalize to modern online movements?
• XREF: connects to: Outsider groups serve as involuntary conduits for fascism’s own taboo impulses — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 145; The fascist leader performs the forbidden impulses his followers suppress — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 144; Fascist body-worship masks a repressed death-wish that aligns with killing — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 222 (+3 more)

Related

• Outsider groups serve as involuntary conduits for fascism’s own taboo impulses (similarity 0.84)
• Frustrated civilization resentment is canalized and fused with authoritarian submissiveness (similarity 0.84)
• The fascist leader performs the forbidden impulses his followers suppress (similarity 0.82)
• Fascist leaders keep libidinal energy unconscious so it can be diverted into obedience (similarity 0.82)
• Fascist followers do not truly believe but perform their own enthusiasm. (similarity 0.81)
• Fascism exploits psychological tendencies rather than being caused by them. (similarity 0.80)
• Fascist body-worship masks a repressed death-wish that aligns with killing (similarity 0.80)
• Fascism’s cohesion rests on overt terror, not just psychic compliance (similarity 0.80)
• Indifference to victimization, not overt bigotry, enables fascism. (similarity 0.79)
• Fascist personalities substitute a group ego for their own super-ego (similarity 0.79)
• Fascist leaders are focal points of citizens’ reactions, not supermen (similarity 0.78)